Combination door latch light switch system



July 20, 1965 E- L. HOWARD 3,196,293

COMBINATION DOOR LATCH LIGHT SWITCH SYSTEM Filed May 16, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

EUGENE L. HOWARD BY 47% W HIS ATTORNEY July 20, 1965 E. L. HOWARD COMBINATION DOOR LATCH LIGHT SWITCH SYSTEM Filed May 16, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3

INVENTOR. EUGENE L. HOWARD HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,196,2?3 (IGMii-ENATHUN DQQR LATCH LIGHT SWETCH SYSTEM Eugene Lester Howard, 849 Murry St, Ely, Nev. Filed May 16, 1962, Ser. No. 195,139 '5 Claims. (Cl. 307-114) The present invention relates to latch mechanisms for doors and, more particularly, to a new and improved, novel latch structure which incorporates electrical switch mechanism in a novel manner such that, upon the intended discrete turning of the door knob or other means associated with the latch, the electrical switch portion thereof may be actuated so as to alter the character of the lighting, for example, of the room which the user is either entering or leaving.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a new type of door latch incorporating electrical switch means of a type such that when the same is installed in a door, the actuation of the latch may, if desired, produce the simultaneous actuation of an electrical switch so as to alter the electrical condition of lighting, heating or other electrical properties of the room which the user is then leaving or entering.

A further object-of the present invention is to provide a new and improved latch mechanism wherein the movable or slidable latch thereof can be employed to depress the switch plunger of a conventional canopy switch so as, thereby, to alter the character of the switch and, consequcntly, the electrical circuit associated therewith.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination latch and switching system which is inexpensive to manufacture and install and which can be of such a nature as not to deter the proper opening and closing of a door using the system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination latch and switch mechanism which may incorporate the structure of any one of several latches extant, this by ailixing suitable means to the movable or sliding latch so as to incorporate the switch structure necessary for practice of the present invention.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, sectioned, partially broken-away perspective view of a portion of a door incorporating the structure of the present invention in one embodiment thereof; in FIGURE 1 the condition of the latch structure is such that the door may be assumed to be in latched condition (with the latch extending out- Wardly therefrom as necessary to latch the door).

' FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary View of a door as hinged to its jamb, illustrating the means by which the flexible cable accommodating the latch mechanism of the present invention may be passed through the door and from the door to and through the jamb structure from which it will be easily available for circuit connection.

FIGURES 3 and 4 are plan view and side elevation representations, respectively, of the latch of the present invention when the sliding latch thereof is disposed at its inward position, so as to depress fully the switch plunger of the canopy switch and thereby alter its electric character.

FIGURES 5 and 6 are schematic electrical diagrams of two-Wire and three-wire systems incorporating the present invention; in FIGURES 5 and 6 the electrical ice switch illustrated takes a generalized schematic form so that the operation of the circuits may be easily comprehended.

In FIGURE 1 is illustrated, in partial, fragmentary, sectional view a portion of a door incorporating the door latch and switch combination of the present invention. Door 10 is cored at 11 for receiving a combination latch and switch unit 12. Unit 12 comprises a conventional latch 13, a switch 14, and interconnecting structure hereinafter to be described. Latch 13 includes a conventional latch housing 15 which may be fabricated in halves and secured together by latch pin 16. A sliding latch 17 is disposed therewithin and includes latch head 18 and U-configured latch body 19 integral therewith. Iournaled within latch housing 15 is an actuating bar receiving member 29 which slidably receives the actuating bar 21 in a conventional manner. Member 2%) may be provided with lugs 21 and 22 for alternately engaging dogs 23 and 24- which are integral or otherwise affixed to the sliding latch 17 at U-coniigured latch body 19 in mutually opposite relationship as shown. Thus, the rotation of actuating bar 21 by door knob 25, keyed to actuating bar 21, will produce the rotational displacement of member 20 and hence the actuation inwardly of sliding latch 17 by virtue of the alternate engagement of either lug 21 or lug 22 with dog 23 or dog 24. All of this is strictly conventional. Switch 14 is a canopy type bi-stable switch adapted for use in either a two-wire or three-wire electrical system and requiring independent, successive depressions to change the electrical condition of the switch from one state (e.g. on") to an opposite state {c.g. off). For a two-wire system the employment of a Leviton" switch No. 579, for example, would be suitable. For the three-wire system Leviton switch Nos. 585 or 587 might be used, for example. In any event, it will be understood that the construction and operation of the canopy, push-button switch 1 5 is strictly conventional. Upon a first complete depression of the push button or plunger 34 thereof, the switch is closed (in a two-wire system) or electrically connected to a first of two circuits (in a three-wire system). Upon a subsequent depression of the plunger 30, the switch is open (in a two-wire sys tern) or electrically connected to the remaining circuit and disconnected from the first circuit (in a three-wire system).

Switch 14 includes a threaded mounting boss 26 and a mounting nut 27 threaded thereon and adapted to secure the switch 14 to the switch mounting bracket 28. The latter is preferably U-configured as shown and is secured to the latch housing 15 by means of mounting screws 29 and suitably tapped holes, not shown, in the two structures 15 and 28. Switch plunger 30 of switch 14 is spring loaded and operates in a conventional manner. Again, in a two-wire system, appropriate pressure against the switch will depress the same so as to close the electrical circuit of the switch. Subsequent depression of switch plunger 30 will serve again to render the electrical condition of the switch in open condition. In the three-wire system depression of switch plunger 30 will close one of the two circuits associated therewith, whereas a subsequent depression of switch plunger 30 will open the initial circuit and close another circuit associated with the switch.

As to mounting and disposition in the door it will be understood that the latch face plate 31, integral with latch housing 15, will be secured to the door 10 by means of screws 32 in a conventional manner.

Turning our attention now to FIGURE 2 it will be seen that the wires 32, 33 and 34 of switch 14 in FIGURE 1 will form an electrical cable 35 which will be conducted through the cored area of the door to the door boss member 36, the latter being fabricated from metal, preferably, and being secured to and recessed in the door and attached thereto by means of screws 37. correspondingly, a jamb boss member 38 will be provided and will be secured to and recessed in the door jamb, attached thereto by means of screws 39. A flexible spring wire channel 40 will interconnect the necks 41 and 42 of the two boss members 36-and 39 and the cable 35 will proceed therethrough to the jamb and will be routed through the casing or other structure to the electrical system for which the switch mechanism is supplied.

It will be understood that, since the cable of electrical leads 35 proceeds through the hollow flexible connector or spring wire channel 40, and will be subject to a lot of bending or other deformation during successive openings and closings of the door 10, the wire should be multistrand, twisted, fine-wire electrical leads in order to accommodate such deformation as will occur during the operation of the door.

It will be understood that the door 10 and the door jamb 43 will each be supplied with respective relief cavities 44 and 45 which are adapted to receive the flexible spring wire channel 40 and the necks 41 and 42 of members 36 and 38 when the door is closed, thereby serving so as not to interfere with the proper closing of the door It At this juncture it should be pointed out that that portion of the latch (19) which engages and depresses switch plunger 30 may be either integral with the latch slide (body 19) or may be aflixed as by soldering or by other means to the body 19 of the conventional latch as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4. Note member 46 in FIGURE 4, for example, in this regard.

In FIGURE 1 is also illustrated latch catch means 65, shown in phantom line, which is mounted as is conventional to the opposite door jamb. Further, the latch mechanism is spring loaded by spring 66 which seats against housing ears 67 and latch head 18.

There is now to be considered the electrical schematic diagrams illustrated in FIGURES and 6 for utilizing the combination latch and electrical switch mechanism of FIGURES 1 through 4.

In FIGURE 5 electrical lead 47 interconnects one terminal of power source 48 to one side of the lights 49. The remaining side of lights 49 is connected by electrical lead 5t) through the door jamb 43 and the channel or core of door to the common side of switch S. (Switch S is a schematic generalization of switch 14 in FIGURE 1 in the case of the two-wire system.) Accordingly, switch Swill be a simpleon-off switch, with a solid line indicating the on position and the dotted line indicating the off position. Terminal 51 of switch 8, accordingly, will be simply a dead terminal, whereas terminal 52 will be coupled by electrical lead 53 back through door channel of door 10, through door ja-mb 43 and back to source 48.

In FIGURE 6 a three-wire system is illustrated. Electrical lead 54 interconnects one terminal of source 48 with one side of parallel connected lights 55. Electrical lead 56 interconnects the remaining side of lights 55 with common switch arm 57 which is the efiective electrical arm of switch S. (Switch S is a schematic generalization corresponding to switch 14 in a three-wire system.) Switch 5' will accordingly be a single-pole, double-throw switch which contacts either electrical terminal 58 or, alternatively, electrical terminal 59. Electrical lead 60 is connected to terminal 58 and leads to terminal 61 of switch 62. Switch 62 may be simply wall switch in a home of a three-wire type, for example. Electrical terminal 63 thereof is connected by electrical lead 64 through the door jarnb 43 and the channel or core of door 10 to electrical terminal 59.

The schematic electrical diagram of FIGURE 6 is strictly conventional, so far as basic, three-wire systems are concerned, and a general schematic indication has been made of the switch S (corresponding to switch 14 in FIGURE 1).

The FIGURE 5 electrical circuit, on the other hand is a simplified circuit of a lighting system incorporating a single switch S (corresponding to switch 14 of FIGURE 1 of the drawings) wherein an auxiliary switch control is not used.

In either event, that is in either of the case of the employment of the circuit of FIGURE 5 or the circuit of FIGURE 6' the operation of the invention remains essentially the same. This operation will now be explained.

We shall assume at the outset that the door 10 is closed. See FIGURE 1. In such event then, upon opening the door in the normal manner, the electrical equip ment involved such as light 55 in FIGURE 6 or 4a in FIGURE 5 will remain ofi, if it is already in off condition, or remain on if its electrical condition is electrically on, provided that the door knob is not turned to an extreme position, either clockwise or counterclockwise, so as to compress completely the switch plunger 39 and alter its electrical condition. When, however, the user intends to alter the electrical condition of the lighting, for example, within the room in which he is entering, then he will turn the door knob to an extreme position, either clockwise or counter-clockwise, so as to depress completely the switch plunger by virtue of the engagement therewith by U-configured latch body 19. Again, the translation to the right of the viewer and towards switch plunger 30 (see FIGURE 1) is accomplished by the rotational displacement of door knob and, correspondingly, by the rotational displacement of actuating bar 21 and the alternate engagement of the lugs 21 and 22 thereof with latch dogs 23 and 24. The dimension of switch mounting bracket 28 may be so chosen with reference to the switch plunger 36 in the travel thereof such that the door may beopened and closed without altering the electrical character of switch 14 and, .alterna tively, may be turned to an extreme position such that not only is it unlatched but also the switch plunger 30 is depressed by the inward movement by the U-configured body 19 in FIGURE 1. Thus, the actuation'of the door knob, if the operator so chooses, accomplishes both the unlatching of the door and also an actuation of switch 14 so as to alter automatically the electrical character of the light within the room the user is then entering or leaving. This essential character of the invention is the same whether the two-wire system of FIGURE 5 or the three-wire system of FIGURE 6 is employed.

It will be noted that notwithstanding the combination switch latching and unlatching of the novel latch of the present invention, the same does not deter the proper operation of closing and opening of thedoor. This is due to the provision of the structure illustrated in FIG- URE 2.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in itsbroader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A combination door-latch and bi-stable electrical switching circuit system including, in combination, a door, spring-loaded latch means mounted in said door, latch catch means, said latch means including a translatable latch member which, when outwardly disposed in its normal position, is engaged with and retained by said latch catch means, manually actuatable means for translating, in a direction against the spring-loading of said latch means, said latch member inwardly with respect to said door and out of engagement with said latch catch means and therebeyond, and bi-stable switch means fixedly disposed with respect to said latch means and engageable by said latch member for effecting switch means actuation to one of its two stable conditions, and electrical circuit means coupled to said switch means and including a ciramazes cuit element to he energized by said switch means upon the translation of said latch member to an extreme, operative, inward position with respect to said door.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said system includes a door jamb, said door being hinged to said door jamb, said electrical circuit means including electrical lead means extending through said door and said door jamb at the juncture thereof; and flexible conduit means encasing said electrical lead means aflixed to said door and door jarnb, said door and door jamb being relieved to admit said conduit means upon the closing of said door against said jamb.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit means is a series circuit with said switch means being inserted in series therein, said switch being of a canopy type having a spring loaded plunger and so constructed and arranged that one depression of said plunger will open said switch and a subsequent depression thereof will close said switch, said translatable latch member effecting such depression.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit means is of a three-wire, double switch type, said combination being provided with an additional switch electrically disposed in tandem with said switch means, said switch means being of a canopy type having a spring loaded plunger and so constructed and arranged that one depression of said plunger closes one-half of the circuit means and a subsequent depression thereof will open that half and close the remaining half of the circuit means, said translatable latch member effecting such depression.

5. A combination door-latch and bi-stable electrical switching circuit system including, in combination, a door, spring-loaded latch means mounted in said door, latch catch means, said latch means including a translatable latch member which, when outwardly disposed in its normal position, is engaged with and retained by said latch catch means, manually actuatable means for translating, in a direction against the spring-loading of said latch means, said latch member inwardly with respect to said door and out of engagement with said latch catch means and therebeyond, said translating means including a rotatable actuating bar and lug means engaged therewith for alternatively engaging said latch member in a direction against the spring loading of said latch means, and switch means fixedly disposed with respect to said latch means and engageable by said member, and electrical circuit means coupled to said switch means and including a circuit element to be energized by said switch means upon the translation of said latch member to an extreme, operative, inward position with respect to said door.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 490,161 1/93 Nadeau 20061.67 912,454 2/09 Fesenbek ZOO-61.67 941,777 11/09 Hart 307-414 1,093,810 4/14 Voight ZOO-61.67 1,744,040 1/30 Elger 339--4 2,693,591 11/54 Morse 340274 X 2,756,300 7/56 Thiberville ZOO-61.67 2,818,475 12/57 Harry ZOO-61.67 3,053,564 9/62 Evans et al 3394 LLOYD McCOLLUM, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT L. SIMS, Examiner. 

1. A COMBINATION DOOR-LATCH AND BI-STABLE ELECTRICAL SWITCHING CIRCUIT SYSTEM INCLUDING, IN COMBINATION, A DOOR, SPRING-LOADED LATCH MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID DOOR, LATCH CATCH MEANS, SAID LATCH MEANS INCLUDING A TRANSLATABLE LATCH MEMBER WHICH, WHEN OUTWARDLY DISPOSED IN ITS NORMAL POSITION, IS ENGAGED WITH AND RETAINED BY SAID LATCH CATCH MEANS, MANUALLY ACTUATABLE MEANS FOR TRANSLATING IN A DIRECTION AGAINST THE SPRING-LOADING OF SAID LATCH MEANS, SAID LATCH MEMBER INWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID DOOR AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID LATCH CATCH MEANS AND THEREBEYOND, AND BI-STABLE SWITCH MEANS FIXEDLY DISPOSES, WITH RESPECT TO SAID LATCH MEANS AND ENGAGEABLE BY SAID LATCH MEMBER FOR EFFECTING SWITCH MEANS ACTUATION TO ONE OF ITS TWO STABLE CONDITIONS, AND ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MEANS COUPLED TO SAID SWITCH MEANS AND INCLUDING A CIRCUIT ELEMENT TO BE ENERGIZED BY SAID SWITHC MEANS UPON THE TRANSLATION OF SAID LATCH MEMBER TO AN EXTREME, OPERATIVE, INWARD POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID DOOR. 